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The GCU women's basketball team helps build a house on its mission trip to Mexico.
Women's Basketball Program Changes Lives On Mission Trip
9/25/2013 2:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Grand Canyon's women's basketball program went to Mexico on a mission trip to help change the lives of a needy family. In return, players, coaches and team personnel got a life-changing experience of their own.
GCU women's basketball coach Trent May met organizers of 1Mission, a non-profit organization that helps people in poverty, through his church. Earlier this month, the team went to Puerto Penasco, Mexico for a few days to build a home for a family in need.
"It was an amazing yet humbling experience to serve a poverty stricken community and family with the building of a house," said May. "We witnessed poverty first hand and came away with a better understanding of what that means."
The Alvarez family, though grateful for what little they already had, always dreamed of having a better home. They earned this opportunity by doing work in their own community and with the aide of 1Mission and the GCU women's basketball team, the dream came true.
You could argue the experience changed the women's basketball family as much as it did the Alvarez.
"It was eye-opening," said senior Deanna Daniels. "What we would think was so small; (this family) was so appreciative of and grateful to God for it.
"Everything He has done for me and all we have here (at Grand Canyon) … this brought me back and it was humbling. I hope this humbling feeling never leaves. I hope this makes us all grateful forever.
"(This family) did more for me, in showing their faith in God, than I could have ever done for them."
It was a four-day trip that gathered life-long memories for all.
"This was life-changing,' said senior Johnna Brown. "It made me re-evaluate my life and appreciate the little things I have that many of us take for granted."
What senior Judy Jones will remember most is that last thing they did --- hand over the keys to the new home owners.
"The look on their faces when we handed over the keys was priceless. I'm happy we were able to be a part of such a great blessing," she said.
Added May: "We each have a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful our university backs opportunities such as this."
GCU women's basketball coach Trent May met organizers of 1Mission, a non-profit organization that helps people in poverty, through his church. Earlier this month, the team went to Puerto Penasco, Mexico for a few days to build a home for a family in need.
"It was an amazing yet humbling experience to serve a poverty stricken community and family with the building of a house," said May. "We witnessed poverty first hand and came away with a better understanding of what that means."
The Alvarez family, though grateful for what little they already had, always dreamed of having a better home. They earned this opportunity by doing work in their own community and with the aide of 1Mission and the GCU women's basketball team, the dream came true.
You could argue the experience changed the women's basketball family as much as it did the Alvarez.
"It was eye-opening," said senior Deanna Daniels. "What we would think was so small; (this family) was so appreciative of and grateful to God for it.
"Everything He has done for me and all we have here (at Grand Canyon) … this brought me back and it was humbling. I hope this humbling feeling never leaves. I hope this makes us all grateful forever.
"(This family) did more for me, in showing their faith in God, than I could have ever done for them."
It was a four-day trip that gathered life-long memories for all.
"This was life-changing,' said senior Johnna Brown. "It made me re-evaluate my life and appreciate the little things I have that many of us take for granted."
What senior Judy Jones will remember most is that last thing they did --- hand over the keys to the new home owners.
"The look on their faces when we handed over the keys was priceless. I'm happy we were able to be a part of such a great blessing," she said.
Added May: "We each have a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful our university backs opportunities such as this."
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